Doubt raised over new council code of conduct

The Mackay Regional Council has adopted a new code of conduct that some councillors say will stifle community debate.

The councillors handbook has been introduced to comply with new Local Government Act requirements.

The handbook stipulates that once a formal position of council has been adopted, councillors are expected to accept the majority decision.

Deputy Mayor Darryl Camilleri says council should operate like a board of directors and have a united front after a vote has been taken.

"There have been no issues over the last year or so, all the councillors have worked pretty well together but things like in previous council continuing the debate out the chambers into the public arena and continuing that on for some period of time and we haven't done that under this council regime and just trying to make sure that's managed in a workable manner if something like that comes forward," he said.

Deirdre Comerford was one of three councillors who raised concerns about the handbook.

She says councillors should not have to toe the party line on all matters.

"This charter's saying you can have robust debate in the council chambers but it's also saying, like the legislation does, once you make the decision that's it, you've got to be that spokesperson out there and sell it to the community," she said.

"You know if there's fundamentally things that just doesn't sit fundamentally well with you well I'm not going to go out there and keep raising the issue but I'm not going to go out there and advocate for it either."